EP0032423B1 - Reversible ratchet drive - Google Patents

Reversible ratchet drive Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0032423B1
EP0032423B1 EP81300051A EP81300051A EP0032423B1 EP 0032423 B1 EP0032423 B1 EP 0032423B1 EP 81300051 A EP81300051 A EP 81300051A EP 81300051 A EP81300051 A EP 81300051A EP 0032423 B1 EP0032423 B1 EP 0032423B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pawl
core
shaft means
drive
shaft
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP81300051A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0032423A1 (en
Inventor
Kirk Koo Chow
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0032423A1 publication Critical patent/EP0032423A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0032423B1 publication Critical patent/EP0032423B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
    • B25B13/46—Spanners; Wrenches of the ratchet type, for providing a free return stroke of the handle
    • B25B13/461—Spanners; Wrenches of the ratchet type, for providing a free return stroke of the handle with concentric driving and driven member
    • B25B13/462—Spanners; Wrenches of the ratchet type, for providing a free return stroke of the handle with concentric driving and driven member the ratchet parts engaging in a direction radial to the tool operating axis
    • B25B13/465—Spanners; Wrenches of the ratchet type, for providing a free return stroke of the handle with concentric driving and driven member the ratchet parts engaging in a direction radial to the tool operating axis a pawl engaging an internally toothed ring

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved reversible ratchet drive for a hand-operated tool such as a socket wrench. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved reversing mechanism for socket type ratchet drives, the reversing mechanism being conveniently manipulable with the same hand used to operate the tool.
  • Ratchet wrenches and tools of the type in which the present invention finds utility have been long established in the relevant art.
  • Many and varied types of ratchet and drive reversing mechanisms have been described in the literature, and some of these mechanisms have adopted in commercial products sold for use by mechanics.
  • the prior art structures each invoke substantially the same mechanical principles, and in each case, rotational force impressed upon a lever arm or wrench handle exerts rotational force on a tool element or workpiece, the applied rotational force coinciding with the axis of rotation of the tool handle.
  • rotation of the handle in one direction will cause positive engagement of driving and driven ratchet teeth which interlock within the tool head.
  • counterrota- tion of the tool handle effects disengagement of the ratchet teeth to permit the drive handle to be shifted in the opposite direction for subsequent forward reactivation and drive.
  • a principal area of investigation and of distinction between the various ratchet tools of the prior art is the configuration of an indexing element or toothed pawl and the manner in which it is caused to shift, pivot or slide for enabling reversal of the drive direction of the tool element supported by the ratchet tool.
  • the pawl is caused to shift between two opposed positions in which the toothed ends of the pawl engage, sequentially, at annularly spaced positions within an encircling toothed driving ring or collar of the tool head, each such shift being correlated with either clockwise or counterclockwise torque-transmitting engagement between the driving ring or collar and driven, coaxial body or core coupled to the collar.
  • the core carries shank or boss means for securement of a tool element thereto.
  • US patent specification 4147076 shows a reversible ratchet wrench having a pawl element the position of which determines the driving direction of the wrench.
  • the control element for the pawl is operated by a rotational movement the axis of which is directed into the core of the ratchet.
  • a principal advantage of the invention is that it enables the manufacture of a reversible ratcheting type driving tool in which reversal of the drive direction is conveniently achieved using the same hand in which the tool is held and manipulated.
  • a reversing control mechanism is provided which is actuable through the use of one's thumb or finger. With suitable embodiments the reversal may be achieved, in most cases, without releasing the wrench from its manipulative position on a workpiece, and may be accomplished using the same hand which holds the tool having the drive.
  • the reversal of the operating direction of the drive can be effected through the application of digital pressure on a finger contact element which projects above a top face of the wrench head and which does not require the application of a rotational force.
  • the shaft means is responsive to pressure applied with a force vector having a component directed axially into the core. This obviates the need to grasp a bar-like key and to rotate the same in the tool head.
  • the pawl actuator carries means for indicating both visually or through touch, in which particular rotational drive mode the drive is set.
  • a ratchet drive of the type which includes a driving ring or collar to which a handle is connected, a driven core or body rotatably journalled within the drive collar and coupled thereto through a shiftable, double-ended, toothed pawl.
  • the pawl is, in turn, moved between two limiting positions whereby either of the opposed toothed ends of the pawl is brought, sequentially, into meshing engagement with mating teeth carried on an inner periphery of the drive ring for establishing a torque-transmitting relation in either of opposed rotation directions.
  • Principal features of the invention pertain to the improved mechanism and method whereby the shifting of inter- coupling pawl is effected.
  • the present invention makes it possible for user of the ratchet drive conveniently and quickly to perceive the set mode of rotation and readily to reverse the direction of torque transmitting rotation through a simple manipulation by applying digital pressure and using the same hand used to hold the tool
  • the aims and objects of the invention are accomplished by providing in a ratchet drive wrench or similar article an improved reversing mechanism for noting and for selecting the mode of rotation of the torque-transmitting element of the drive wrench.
  • the invention finds specific utility in that type of drive which has a "round-head", and in which all of the rotation reversing mechanism is carried in the head itself and, specifically, in the driven core or body of the tool head.
  • Each of the several preferred embodiments of the invention has, in common with the others, a finger (or thumb) pressure-responsive shifting mechanism which extends outwardly from a face of the tool head and which is readily manipulable through applied digital pressure to effect a reversal of the torque-transmitting linkage so as to achieve, selectively, clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the driven core or body of the tool.
  • the ratchet wrench 20 illustrated includes a handle 22 to one end of which is connected a tool head 26 comprising a generally cylindrical driving ring or collar 28 formed on its inner generally cylindrical surface 30 with an uninterrupted series of axially extending ratchet teeth 34 evenly and circumferentially spaced around the inner wall surface 30 of the driving ring 28 and projecting radially inwardly thereof.
  • a driven body or core 40 rotatably journalled in the collar 28 and constituting the torque-transmitting element of the tool head 20 has a generally cylindrical body 42 formed with a transverse recess or cavity 46 extending radially inwardly of and from an encircling bonding cylindrical surface 48 of the core 40.
  • a shank or boss 52 of non-circular transverse cross-section extends axially from one endface 56 of the core body 42 for attachment of interchangeable tool elements.
  • the core body 42 is formed with an enlarged-diameter, collar-like flange 60, a bounding peripheral marginal edge of which is knurled 64 to facilitate manual rotation thereof and of the core body 42 attached thereto.
  • the cylindrical body 42 of the core 40 is formed near its end adjacent the shank 52 with an annular groove 70 adapted to receive therewithin an annular retaining spring washer or snap ring 74 the outer diameter of which is slightly greater than that of the internal diameter of the driving ring 28.
  • the outer diameter of the core body 42 is only slightly less than the inner diameter of the drive ring 28 so that the core 42 is rotatably received and supported within the drive ring 28 with the enlarged annular flange 60 abutting a top face 80 of the drive ring 28 and the snap ring 74 seated in its cooperating groove 70 to engage a rear face 84 of the drive ring 28 to lock the core body 40 against inadvertent axial displacement or withdrawal from the drive ring 28.
  • a double-ended reversible wing-like pawl 90 having ratchet teeth 92, 92a at its opposed ends is pivotally mounted on a rod 96 secured at its opposed ends 98 and 100 in opposed bounding walls 104 and 106 of the cavity 46, the rod 96 passing through a cooperating slot 112 extending transversely through the body 114 of the pawl 90 at a position between the opposed ends thereof.
  • the pawl 90 is so oriented within the recess 46 formed in the body 42 of the core 40 that the teeth 92 and 92a face radially outwardly from the core body 42 for presentation against and interengagement with the complementary facing teeth 34 of the drive ring 28 ( Figure 5).
  • the core body 42 is formed with a slot 120 extending axially into the core body 42 from an upper flat surface 122 thereof, the slot 120 intersecting and communicating with the transverse recess 46 in which the pawl 90 is housed.
  • a shaft 130 mounted on a pivot pin 132 secured in the body 42 of the core 40 extends axially into the slot 120 so that the inwardly directed lower end portion 136 of the shaft 130 invades a spatial zone in communication with the recess 46 formed in the core body 42.
  • a prod or probe 146 is secured at the lower end of the shaft 130 to project normally thereof and to abut and bear against a camming surface or face 150 of the pawl 90 at a side thereof generally opposed to the pawl-carried teeth 92 and 92a, as shown in Figure 5.
  • the probe 146 is spring biased by means of a compression spring 1 54 interposed between the prod 146 and an end wall 160 of a slot 162 formed in the shaft 130 in which the prod 146 rides.
  • the shaft 130 is formed with a surmounting cross bar 174 comprising a pair of laterally extending arms 176 and 178 so oriented that in each of the opposed pivotal positions of the shaft 130 one of the arms 176 and 178 is elevated with respect to the other and projects above the top face 122 of the core flange 60, as clearly indicated in Figure 3.
  • One of the arms 176 is conveniently ribbed 180 or colored to render it distinguishable from the other whereby one may not palpably, both visually and by touch, the particular rotational mode setting of the tool.
  • a detent assembly consisting of a spring 184 and a sphere 186 housed in a socket 188 formed in the shank 52 and opening into the recess 46 at a point below the inner end 190 of the shaft to ensure positive positioning of the shaft 130 in each of its opposed limiting pivotal positions, as indicated schematically in Figure 3.
  • the shaft-carried prod 146 is caused to bear along the camming surface 150 of the pawl 90 and to cause the pawl 90 to pivot so that its opposite toothed end couples with and establishes driving engagement with the complementary teeth 34 of the drive ring 28.
  • the finger-pressure applied includes a force extending along a vector having a component directed substantially axially into the core 40 of the ratchet wrench 20.
  • a unique advantage achieved as a result of the structure described herein is that the shift by the user from a first to a second operational mode of the ratchet wrench is conveniently accomplished using the same hand which is employed to hold the wrench, and without relinquishing one's hold on the wrench.
  • This advantage is a feature of each embodiment of the present invention.
  • the various component elements where essentially the same as those described above, are identified using the same corresponding numbers.
  • the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 differs from that previously described in the physical form of the finger-pressure-responsive actuator.
  • the pawl-shifting pivotal shaft 230 extends axially outwardly and beyond the face 122 of the tool head 28 to provide a finger-shiftable bar 234 which is an extension of the shaft 230.
  • FIG. 8 a somewhat modified structure for shifting the pawl 90 between its proposed limit positions is shown.
  • the overall length of the pivotal shaft 330 which controls the shifting of the pawl 90 has been shortened and is axially outwardly directed end 332 is surmounted by a cross bar 334.
  • the end face 122 of the core body 42 has two through bores 338 and 340 spaced for axial spatial correspondence with laterally extending end portions 344 and 346 of the cross bar 334.
  • Slidably disposed in the bores 338 and 340 are a pair of push buttons 348 and 350, each conveniently flanged 356 and 358 to preclude axial dislodgement outwardly of the assembly.
  • the user need again merely apply digital pressure axially inwardly against that button which projects outwardly from the face 122 of the core body.
  • Such pressure is transferred to the cross bar 334 and is effective to pivot the shaft 330 on its pivotal support 132 and, concurrently, to slide the probe 146 along the camming surface 150 of the pawl 90 to shift the pawl to an opposite limit position, again, all as indicated schematically in Figure 5.
  • One 348 of two buttons may be surface-marked 352 or color coded to enable the user of the tool readily to perceive in which rotational mode the drive is set.
  • the reversal of the ratchet mode is conveniently achieved by using same hand in which the wrench is functionally held, and without releasing one's grip on the wrench handle 22.
  • FIGURES 10 through 14 Another embodiment of a reversible ratchet drive invoking the principles of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 10 through 14.
  • This embodiment utilizes a single button as a finger control for alternately shifting the pawl 90 between its opposed limiting positions.
  • the pawl-pivoting shaft 430 is formed with a laterally extending wind 432, and the shaft 430 is pivoted by means of a stepping assembly 436 consisting of driven rotatable toothed plug 440, and a driving toothed push button 444 coaxially disposed and supported in the tool core body 42.
  • a finger contact end of the button 444 projects above the surface 122 of the core body 42 and a shaft-wing-engaging end 450 of the plug 440 bears against the wind 432 of the pivot shaft 430.
  • the button 444 is formed with an annular collar 452 the latter being grooved 454 and riding on rails 456 projecting radially inwardly of and extending along an inner surface 458 of the button securing flange 460.
  • the collar 452 carries a tooth 462 for engaging and rotatably stepwise advancing the plug 440 through stressed axial engagement of the stepping tooth 462 against cooperating alternately arranged teeth 464 and 466 annularly disposed on a facing end of the plug 440 and defining shallow and deep slots 470 and 472.
  • the plug 440 upon successive sequential depression of the button 444, the plug 440 is caused to rotate one- fourth turn, stepwise, and is displaced in each of two distinct modes of inward or axial displacement against the shaft wing 432.
  • Each mode is correlated with one of two corresponding differential pivotal positions of the pawl-shifting .shaft 430, as indicated schematically in FIGURES 11 and 12.
  • the shaft 340 is biased into resilient stressing contact against the base 450 of the plug 440 by means of a spring 470.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Details Of Spanners, Wrenches, And Screw Drivers And Accessories (AREA)
EP81300051A 1980-01-11 1981-01-07 Reversible ratchet drive Expired EP0032423B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US111471 1980-01-11
US06/111,471 US4280379A (en) 1980-01-11 1980-01-11 Reversihble ratchet drive

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0032423A1 EP0032423A1 (en) 1981-07-22
EP0032423B1 true EP0032423B1 (en) 1983-07-27

Family

ID=22338747

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81300051A Expired EP0032423B1 (en) 1980-01-11 1981-01-07 Reversible ratchet drive

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US4280379A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP0032423B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS6320540Y2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU537503B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA1138231A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE3160659D1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
HK (1) HK63184A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Families Citing this family (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4347767A (en) * 1981-01-06 1982-09-07 Gentiluomo Joseph A Ratcheting device
WO1986003155A1 (en) * 1984-11-27 1986-06-05 Colvin David S Reversible ratchet wrench
US4777852A (en) * 1986-10-02 1988-10-18 Snap-On Tools Corporation Ratcheting screwdriver
US4802387A (en) * 1986-11-24 1989-02-07 Williams Thomas A Iii Reversible unidirectional transmission
US4762032A (en) * 1987-02-24 1988-08-09 Chow Kirk K Socket release assembly for ratchet drive
US4796492A (en) * 1988-05-20 1989-01-10 Liou Mou Tang Clutch type socket wrench
US5658767A (en) * 1991-01-24 1997-08-19 Martek Corporation Arachidonic acid and methods for the production and use thereof
AU669836B2 (en) * 1994-10-12 1996-06-20 Chang Chuan Lee Reversible ratchet wrench and reversible ratchet mechanism thereof
US5765669A (en) 1996-01-26 1998-06-16 Dwbh Ventures Ltd. Reversible, infinitely variable wedging element, force transfer device
ES2195669B1 (es) * 1997-05-30 2005-03-01 Facom Mecanismo de accionamiento unidireccional, herramienta de trinquete correspondiente.
US20040194584A1 (en) * 1999-04-06 2004-10-07 Tone Ofentavsek Electrically insulated hand tool with a detent mechanism
TW556631U (en) * 2003-01-30 2003-10-01 Lea Way Hand Tool Corp Wrench with vision identifying mechanism
CN1330462C (zh) * 2003-06-30 2007-08-08 利益得股份有限公司 具有视觉辨识机构的扳手
US20050120833A1 (en) * 2003-12-04 2005-06-09 Chih-Min Chang Ratchet wrench having device for indication of wrench size and turning orientation
TWI259122B (en) * 2005-08-22 2006-08-01 Proxene Tools Co Ltd Switch type ratchet wrench
FR2926033B1 (fr) * 2008-01-08 2010-08-27 Renault Georges Ets Outillage rotatif un systeme d'entrainement a encliquetage, comprenant un organe de selection du sens de rotation mobile en translation.
USD649848S1 (en) 2011-03-17 2011-12-06 Jonathan Wegerich Ratcheting wrench for damaged bolt heads and nuts
US20140013904A1 (en) * 2012-07-10 2014-01-16 U.S. Holdings Corporation Ratcheting palm graspable multi-socket wrench
US10493604B2 (en) * 2017-08-14 2019-12-03 Matatakitoyo Tool Co., Ltd. Torque-adjusting apparatus
TWI643710B (zh) * 2017-12-07 2018-12-11 陳志吉 棘輪扳手
CN113334298B (zh) * 2020-03-03 2024-07-09 杭州巨星科技股份有限公司 双向输出扭矩的手动工具
CN111702694B (zh) * 2020-07-23 2024-10-15 河南工程学院 一种弹拉棘轮式多功能螺刀扳手
CN114454112A (zh) * 2020-11-09 2022-05-10 中国航天标准化研究所 一种棘轮头、棘轮扳手及紧固方法

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2020883A (en) * 1934-03-26 1935-11-12 Snap On Tools Inc Ratchet wrench
US2989881A (en) * 1959-01-27 1961-06-27 Raymond P Lavietes Multiple use hand tool having a ratchet handle
US3233481A (en) * 1963-10-25 1966-02-08 Kelsey Hayes Co Ratchet wrench
US3337014A (en) * 1965-10-20 1967-08-22 John A Sandrick Ratchet wrench
US3393587A (en) * 1966-12-15 1968-07-23 Wright Tool And Forge Company Ratchet wrenches
US3436992A (en) * 1967-03-10 1969-04-08 Pendleton Tool Ind Inc Reversible ratchet wrench with floating pawls
US3467231A (en) * 1968-02-12 1969-09-16 Moore Drop Forging Co Pawl reversing mechanism for ratchet wrenches
US3677102A (en) * 1970-06-02 1972-07-18 Usag Spa Gemonio Free-wheel device for transmitting torques and reversible ratchet dog comprising same
US3783703A (en) * 1972-11-17 1974-01-08 Jo Line Tools Ratchet mechanism
US3881376A (en) * 1974-03-05 1975-05-06 Wright Tool & Forge Co Socket ejecting mechanism for ratchet wrenches
US4147076A (en) * 1977-10-31 1979-04-03 The Wright Tool And Forge Company Reversing-ratchet socket wrench

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6595081A (en) 1981-07-16
EP0032423A1 (en) 1981-07-22
US4280379A (en) 1981-07-28
AU537503B2 (en) 1984-06-28
CA1138231A (en) 1982-12-28
HK63184A (en) 1984-08-24
JPS56151768U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1981-11-13
JPS6320540Y2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1988-06-07
DE3160659D1 (en) 1983-09-01

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